Buying a Mac Book Pro

Where do you recommend buying a MacBook Pro? A lot of retail outlets seem to offer a $50 discount. But I found a much bigger discount ($699) for a MacBook Pro with Retina display, at Mac Mall. But that model isn't in the Apple Store online, so I'm wondering what is happening. Does Mac Mall sell obsolete models? The graphics card is different, and the Mac Mall model has a 768 gb solid state drive, which I don't find on the Apple Store.

Mac Mall also offers a configuration that closely corresponds to a current Apple Store model at a $50 discount.

Thanks Steve. I had been checking the refurbs, finding nothing recent
(and I wanted the Oct 2013 MBP). And then when I got your reply and the link I checked again and there it was, exactly what I wanted, and at a much bigger savings than the usual refurb. Very good timing on your reply! Problem solved.

They've been around a long time. Authorized and so forth. Ask them if its refurb or a custom installation if its protected by apple care which you should always get the 3 year plan anyway. I've bought mine from BHphoto and a local retailer that has decent deals. With a laptop getting apple care for 3 years is a must have.

Well.... I was very happy with my refurbished MBP Retina, until it simply didn't power up one day. Eventually it did, but that was enough. (It probably heard me bragging to my client about it just before I hit the power button.)

Apple was very good about the return, and now that I know how terrific the computer is, I'm going to buy a new one. In this business, failure is not a good option, and I need reliability WAY more than I need a good deal.

I'd love to know which types (iMacs vs. laptops) of computers are most reliable in the Refurb Store. For laptops, I'm going to stick to new from now on.